Bosch Project Assistant: the smarter way to plan for a more efficient project

Keeping track of a video security project can be a time-consuming task

As many of you will have experienced, the planning, configuration, installation and reporting of a video security project involves multiple tools and extensive man hours to complete and document the process. Managing several projects efficiently through each phase can be a difficult task for systems integrators.

But it doesn’t end there. When you consider the additional requirements such as pre-configuration of hardware, assignment of IP addresses and secure passwords, management of on-site locations, resource and allocation of manpower, installations and status alignment throughout, it’s no surprise that errors, damages and poor communications can occur, despite the best intentions. Of course, in these situations the downsides can be costly in every sense; project timings and budgets can increase, which can reduce profitability and, in some cases, can have an adverse effect on a company’s reputation.

Ideally, there would be one simple solution that helps systems integrators and installers to easily manage and keep track of various projects during each phase, through to the final reporting.

That task has just been made very simple by a very clever app

Designed and developed by Bosch Security Systems to provide invaluable assistance to systems integrators, the Project Assistant app makes it possible to get a complete overview of a video security project, making planning, pre-configuration, commissioning and reporting more efficient, more transparent and more accessible. It’s available from various App stores, free to download, and suitable for installation on desktop, tablet and smartphone devices, and works on Apple, Windows and Google platforms.

Ease of use is the prime focus

With the launch of the Project Assistant it’s now possible for project set-up and pre-configuration to start remotely, in the office, and for further information like camera name and location to be added without the requirement of the physical cameras being present. Only the project plans, IP addresses and a password from the client are required for the systems integrator to create a new project via the app (or an Excel-compatible file format). It’s also versatile, giving you the option of adding one camera at a time, or setting up multiple cameras at once by inputting the password and a range of IP addresses for the entire project. And, because the Project Assistant has the ability to automatically enter the information for each camera in the project, saving time is easy, too.

Often, it’s what you eliminate from a project that makes it more efficient

Experience has taught us that there are times when it pays to resist the urge to add steps to a process, as they can over-complicate matters. This is why we’ve made it possible to create a set of virtual cameras within the app, therefore eliminating the need for unboxing products for labelling and pre-configuration before being packed up again and sent to the site for installation, as the products can now transfer directly from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the client’s location. What’s more, this smart but effective change to your way of working has been found to deliver significant time savings of up to 30 percent.

Match virtual cameras to real ones, in real time

Once the cameras are physically installed on site and connected to a network, they can be matched to the virtual cameras previously set up in the Project Assistant. By simply scanning a QR code that can be found on the camera box, on the camera itself, or on an enclosed sticker sheet, the MAC address of the camera is identified and assigned to a specific virtual camera in the app.

This method of matching the cameras writes the pre-defined settings in the Project Assistant directly to the camera (via Wi-Fi or cable connection) and further reduces errors and any mismatching of hardware. Once connected, the systems integrator can set up the field of view, adjust image sharpness and apply additional camera settings if required.

Project transparency has clear benefits

The Project Assistant is not only designed to support the management of a video security project at every step, it also makes final reporting easier. With a simple command every camera in the project can be contacted, checked and reported in a matter of seconds. A final client-ready report can then be delivered minutes later, complete with field of view snapshots.

Also, projects set-up in the app can be shared via the Cloud across multiple stakeholders, providing them with connectivity and transparency by giving each one the opportunity to access a clear, detailed overview of the status at any time during the project.

Achieve transparency and efficiency at every part of a video security camera project.

The Bosch Project Assistant app makes project planning, pre-configuration, commissioning and reporting more efficient, so every video security project is faster, more controllable, transparent and error-free. Overall, it’s the smart way to plan a video security project.